Color treatment of slide fasteners



Nov. 9, 1943. H. A. HAMM COLOR TREATMENT OF SLIDE FASTENERS Filed Dec.13 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

Homer 11 Ham/n. a

A T TORNEY.

Nov. 9, 1943. H. A. HAMM COLOR TREATMENT OF SLIDE FASTENERS 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1939 INVENTOR.

Homer 11 Hanna.

BWW- ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 9, 1943 COLOR TREATMENT OF sLrnn FASTENERS Homer A. Hamm,Meadville, Pan, assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication December 13, 1939, Serial No. 309,011

1 Claim.

This invention relates to slide fastenersand, in

' particular, to the color treatment thereof.

It is an object of this invention to provide a' new and improved methodfor color treatment of slide fasteners, and particularly enameled slidefasteners wherein the enameled slide fastener components may be coloredor re-colored simultaneously with dyeing of the textile or otherstringer tapes thereof, either in matching colors or in differing,contra-sting colors or wherein either the components or stringer tapesmay be independently dyed or colored.

It is a further object of this invention to provide new and improvedapparatus for carrying out the above'processes conveniently;economically and expeditiously.

It is an object of this invention to provide in such apparatus removableslide fastener support ing means adapted resiliently to support slidefasteners under desired tension, and removable as a unit for insertionin ovens or other drying means for drying slide fasteners supportedthereon during dyeing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such slide fastenersupporting means which is readily and conveniently adjust-able forsupporting fasteners of different lengths and which is provided withslide fastener supporting members which are readily and convenientlyattachable and detachable with respect to slide fasteners'to be dyed anddried thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such slide fastenercoloring apparatus which is equipped with means for securingthe-ultimate flexibility of control during dyeing operations.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings which form a part thereof, and will be pointed out in theappended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of slide a fastener colortreating apparatus embodying the principles of this invention, withparts of the structure broken away in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with certainparts omitted in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 andwith portions of the fastener supporting apparatus omitted in the interest of clearness;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail,

perspective, of structure shown-in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Slide fasteners comprise complementary textile tapes provided withcomponents formed either of metal or non-metallic plastic material. Thecomponents include the interengaging or interlocking fastener memberswhich are secured to the tape edges in spaced rows, the top and bottomstops secured to the tape edges at the respective ends of the rows offastener members, and the slider which is longitudinally slidable withrespect to the rows of fastener members, between the top and bottomstops, for engaging and disengaging the fastener members to close and toopen the slide fastener.

Where the fastener components are non-metallic plastic material, it iscustomary, in order to obtain a fastener of given color, to dye thetextile stringer tapes prior to the attachment of the nonmetallicplastic components which are fashioned from plastic material of thedesired color. I have discovered, however, that it is possible, byutilizing the principles of this invention, concurrently to dye thecomponents and tapes of plastic fasteners of light color or shade todarker colors or shades subsequent to their manufacture.

Where the fastener components are of metal, the desired colortherein'may be secured by application of enamel of the desired color totheforward surfaces of the components. Formerly, the stringer tapes weredyed to the desired color priorto the attachment of the metalliccomponents and the enamel coating of desired color was appliedthereafter. This practice was subject to certain objections, because ofthe necessity for carrying in stock colored tapes in a large number ofcolors and the necessity also for carrying in stock a Single enamel foreach color and shade desired in the finished fastener. I havediscovered, however, that, by utilizing the principles of thisintention, the necessity for carrying such varied colors, in tapes andenamels is obviated by forming fasteners with white tapes and whiteenameled forward surfaces, or other colors in light shades, andthereafter dyeingthem, concurrently, to the same or contrasting desiredcolors by the use of a dye bath containing a dye component producing thedesired color inthe tape and also a component producing the desiredcolor in the enamel on the forward surfaces. I have discovered that thedepth of color both in the tape and in the enamel may be varied withinan appreciable range by variation of time and temperature in the dyeingoperation. I have likewise discovered that'it is possible to re-dye anenameled fastener of a given color to secure a darker shade of thatcolor or to secure a variation in the color or color depth.

It is also possible, according to the principles of this invention, todye colored enameled fasteners of dark shades .to black or otherextremelydark colors by first bleaching the enamel on the metalcomponents by the use of heat and thereafter re-dyeing both the enameledsurfaces and the textile stringer tapes by immersion in a heated bathcontainingdye components operative bothupon the enamel and the textilestringers.

Where the fastener components are formed of an aluminum alloy, it ispossible, by electrolytic processes, anodically to treat the metallicsurfaces and render them susceptible to dyeing. By the principles ofthis invention, I may secure the desired color in such fasteners bysubjecting the fastener to immersion in a dye bath containing dyecomponents adapted to produce the desired color or colors in the textilestringer tapes and anodized surfaces respectively.

Likewise, as will be readily understood, the principles of thisinvention are applicable to the dyeing or color treatment of suchfasteners which are previously subjected "to anodic surface treatment.

A preferred form of structure illustrative of the principles of thisinvention is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

In the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the dye vats ID are ofsubstantially semi-cylindrical form and are rigidly secured to astationary frame having extensibly adiustble legs II and a motorsupporting table l2, upon which is supported suitable drive motor meansi4. Associated with this drive motor means is a variable speedtransmission II with output pulley l6. upper ends of the legs H aresecured together by longitudinal rails I! of angle form and also bysimilar transverse rails l8, as shown in Fig. 2. Also secured betweeneach pair of legs ll below and in p rallelism with the longitudinalangle rails I1 ar the longitudinal idler sprocket supporting rails i9. 4

Disposed within the angle rails I! and I8 is a substantially'rectangulartank 20 having a substantially horizontal marginal flange 2i which issecured to the horizontal upper surfaces of the rails I1 and I8 by bolts22 orother suitable means. A transverse plate member 23 is provided atthe intermediate portion of the tank 28- and has the ends thereofsecured to the longitu-a.

dinal flanges 2| joined thereby-in suitable manner. The plate member 24is provided with intermediate upraised portion 24 forming a floathousing for accommodating the float member 29 hereinafter more clearlydescribed.

The dye vatmembers ID are closely fitted into the'apertures provided atthe opposite sides. of the plate member 23 in such manner. that thelower surfaces of the vat members l and the inner surfaces of the tank20 form a water 'Jacket, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In order to supply water into the jacket formed between the walls of thevats IO and the tank 20, the water supply pipe 25, having a manual valve26, leads upwardly into the space intermediate the vats ill andterminates in a float controlled valve 21 having a float arm 28 with afloat member 29 secured to the end thereof and disposed within theabove-described float housing formed by the upraised portion 24 Of theTheplate member 23. This float valve2l maintains a uniform supply ofwater in the water jacket. because the valve 21 opens automatically upondepression of the float 29, as will be readily understood.

Associated with this water supply pipe 25 is an overflow pipe 3|]extending downwardly from the upper portionof the water jacket space andspaced closely adjacent the operative zone of the f float 29. As will bereadily understood, the 8119- ply ipe and overflow pipe 30 maintain aconstant volume of water within the water Jacket.

In order that the water jacket space may be drained, when desired, thewater drain pipe 15 iv from the lower wall of the tank 20. If it isdesired to drain the water jacket space, it is merely necessary to closethe valve 26 and open the valve 32 in order to effect this drainage.

In order that the vats I0 may be drained, a vat drain pipe 33 isprovided for each vat II and communicates from the bottom wall thereofthrough the water Jacket space to the exterior. Each vat drain pipe 33is provided with a manual 25 valve 34 which may be opened, when desired,to

effect drainage of the vat Ill controlled thereby.

The dye vats iii are filled from the top and the valves 34 are normallyclosed. when a dyeing operation is finished and it is desired to empty a3 dye vat it, it is merely necessary to open the ap-- propriate manualvalve 34 in order that the vat may be drained. I

In order that the water in the water jacket space may be heated forheating the dye in vats 35 III, a steam supply pipe 35 having athermostatic control valve 36 with'manual control 31, connects with aheating coil 38 which is of undulated or serpentine form, which extendsfrom end to end of the water jacket space and which leads from the steamsupply pipe 35 to the steam return pipe 39 leading from the opposite endof the water jacket space, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

From the above description, it will be readily understood that dyesolution may be placed in one or more of the vats l0 and thereafterbrought to and maintained at predetermined temperature for desiredperiods of time by proper adjustment of the thermostatic valve 36 which,by controlling the steam supply to the heating coil 38, controls thetemperature of the water in the water jacket. In the dye bath which isthus heated and maintained at predetermined temperature, the fastenersare intermittently immersed and traversed at desired speeds bymechanisms hereinafter described, the fastener members being supportedTund'er desired tension upon removably supported rotors generallydesignated 40 as shown in Figs.

" 2 and 3.

Each rotor 40 comprises a shaft 4| disposed in 'the'slots Illa in theend walls of a vat I0 having drive pulleys 42 flxed to opposite endsthereof and having secured thereon, between drive pulleys 42, a fixedspider 43 and an axially adjustable spider assembly '44. The fixedspider 43 is of annular form and is provided with a plurality ofyieldable,

radial fastener supports, 55, 51\hereinafte r deprovided with a manualvalve 32 leads downwardthrough which extends a hin e pin 48 supported incomplementary bores provided in the lower boss member 46. Intermediatetheir ends, the plate members 41 are provided with elongated apertures46 through each of which extends slidably a pin 56 similar to the pins48 and supported in like manner in bores provided in. the upper boss 46.The bosses 46, whichare integral with the hubs45, are thus movablyconnected together by the plates 41. At their upper ends, each platemember 41 is provided with a circular aperture for receiving the crosspin which extends be tween the plate members 41, as shown in Fig. 5.

Pivotally supported on this cross pin 5| between the plate members 41 isthe eccentric cylindrical cam member 52 which is provided with amanually engageable handle member 53.

By manual adjustment of the cam member 52, the bosses 46 and integralhubs 45 may be releasably clamped together against the shaft 4|, as willbe readily understood. Likewise, by manual engagement of the handle 53,the cam member 52 may be rotatably adjusted to release the bosses 46 andhubs 45 from the shaft 4| and permit axial adjustment of the spiderassembly 44 upon the shaft 4| for varying the distance between thespider assembly 44 andthe fixed spider 43. In order to inhibit relativerotation between the spider assembly 44 and the shaft 4|, an adjustablestud 54 extends from the lower side of the lower block 46 to the shaftbearing aperture. This stud may be adjusted to increase friction andprevent accidental slippage between the shaft 4| and the spider assembly44, and the end of the stud 54 may, of course, be provided with asharpened or roughened surface, if desired. The hub members 45 of thespider assembly 44 are provided with yieldable radial fastener supports55, 5! similar to the corresponding members on the fixed spider 43 andsimilarly arranged thereon.

As shown in Figs. sand 5, each alternate fastener support 55 is formedof resilient material, preferably of wire-like form and provided at itsouter end with ahook member 56, particularly adapted to extend throughthe aperture in the slider pull of a slide fastener, as shown in Figs. 2and 3. The other fastener supports 51, each of which is disposed betweena pair of fastener supports 55, is thicker and relatively more rigidthan are the fastener supports 55 and, instead of being provided attheir outer ends with a loop or hook, such as 56, are provided withrelatively sharp-pointed pin members 58 adapted to penetrate the textilefastener tape end portion adjacent the bottom stop of the slidefastener, as also. shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Rotation is imparted to the rotors 46 in the following manner. Eachdrive pulley 42 which is of the V-type is supported on and between twocrown pulleys or friction wheels 66. Each pulley 66 has rigidly securedthereto a sprocket 6 The crownpulleys, which function as frictionwheels, and their attached sprockets 6| are each supported upon similarpintle members 62 secured to the longitudinal angle rails |'|,'as shownin Figs. 1 and 3.' Drive connection between the respective crown pulleys66 and their attached sprockets 6| is secured by means of chains 63drivingly engaging the teeth of the sprockets 66 and taking power frommain'sprockets 64 which are rigidly secured to the ends of the driveshaft 65. The drive shaft 65 is rotatably supported in suitable bearingsprovided at one end of, the frame, the details of which bearings are notshown. Each chain 63 passes also over a plurality of idler pulleys orsprockets 66 each rotatably supported by one of the similar pintlemembers 61 secured to the above-described longitudinal idler sprocketsupporting rails H, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The drive pulley 69 fixedthereto, which is operatively conneoted by the belt I6 with the outputpulley l6 of the varia-speedtransmission |5 which is'driven by the drivemotor means H on the motor supporting table l2 of the stationary frame.

In order to protect the operators from contact with the chains 63,box-like chain guards H are provided which substantially enclose thedrive mechanism at each side of the frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.Suitable apertures are provided in the chain guards II between crownpulleys 66 to permit the drive pulleys 42 of the shaft 4| to projectdownwardly into contact with the drive pulleys 66.

From the above pearthat the friction drive arrangement for the rotors 46permits of their ready removal with attached fasteners, as well as theirready attachrent to the machine. Because of this feature, the rotor 46and attached fasteners may be handled as a unit.

In order to perform a dyeing operation, one 01' more vats I6 is filledto suitable depth with dye solution, either of simple formula adapted todye either the textile tapes or the fastener components alone, or ofcompound type having dye components operative concurrently upon both thetextile stringer tapes and the fastener components. The water in thewater jacket is then brought to the temperature necessary to secure thedesired temperature in the dye solution-in the vat or vats i6. Thedesired temperature is thereafter maintained by suitable adjustment ofthe thermostatic valve 36 which controls the supply of steam to theheating coil 38 in the water jacket.

Fasteners are then mounted upon the rotor. which is to be used by firsthooking one stringer tape end portion over a pin 58 and then hooking thefastener pull into the hook 56 of a member at the opposite end'of therotor, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It is, of course, to be understoodthat prior rough adjustment of the axially adstringer tapes, fastener va plurality of vats at justable spider assembly 44 may be made toaccommodate fasteners of a given length. The fasteners which areresiliently supported upon the rotor 46 are then subjected tointermittent immersion and traverse through the heated dye solution orbath by placing the loaded rotor 46 in operative position and startingthe motor means 14 to drive the rotor through the variable speedtransmission l5, belt 16, pulleys 69, shafts 65, chain 63, sprocket 6|and pulleys or friction wheels 66 at the desired speed. This operationis continued for a predetermined time in order to secure the desireddepth of color in the fastener components or both. Where the dyeingoperations are carried out in the same'time, it is not necessary to stopthe motor means in order to remove a loaded rotor 46 upon completion ofdyeing of the fasteners thereon, but the shaft 4| may be grasped andremoved upwardly from open ative position by one or more operators.

It will, of course, be understood that a plurality of pairs of spiders43 and 44 may be mounted upon a single shaft 46 in order that fastenersof different length may be dyed simultaneously, or concurrently, in thesame enclosing dye vat I6, It will likewise be understood that the angleof shaft has the drive description, it will readily apincidence of thefastener, in entering the dye in a vat I 0, may be varied by securingthe lower stringer tape end to the prong 58 of a member 51 which isspaced radially from the member 55 to the hook 56 of which thepull ofthe slider is and drying operations.

After removal of the rotor having dyed fas- 'teners supported thereon,the rotor and fasteners may be placed, as a unit, in suitable dryingmeans such as an oven, and the fasteners dried under tension whichobviates the necessity, thereafter, for pressing of the fastener tapes.This drying under tension also prevents shrinkage of the fastenerstringer tapes.

From the above description, whichds, of course, merely illustrative ofthe principles of my invenwithin'my invention all modifications includedtion, it will be readily understood that I have provided apparatus andmethods for dyeing and drying fully manufactured slide fasteners withthe utmost convenience and economy and with the resulting advantages setforth in detail above.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above described structure ismerely illustrative and in nowise limiting and that I desire tocomprehend within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is: I

In a method of coloring assembled slide fasteners comprising textilestringer tapes and rows of closely and accurately spaced fastenerelements having surface portions, at least, formed of non-metallicplastic material; supporting said stringer tapes with said attachedelements under tension, subjecting said fasteners while under saidtension to immersion and agitation in a dye bath containing dyecomponents effective upon the textile and plastic materialsrespectively, thereafter removing said fasteners from said dye bath, anddrying said fasteners while maintaining the fasteners stretched undertension to preserve the accuracy of spacing of said attached elements.

- HOMER A. HAMM.

